Electric switch



June 19, 1928. 1,673,893

J. B. TUCKER ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Aug. 5, 1926 Patented June 19, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN BRISTOW TUCKER, OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed August 5, 1926, Serial No. 127,221, and in Great Britain May 13, 1926.

This invention has reference to improvements in or relating to electric switches, and refers particularly to that form of electric switch wherein the switch. housing is sunk within a recess in a wall or like structure or mounted thereon, the switch housing and mechanism being subsequently enclosed by a cover plate adapted to have a flush fitting with the contiguous parts of the wall or the like structure.

The present inventionhas for its object the provision of an improved means for attaching or mounting the cover plate to the body of an electric switch of the aforesaid kind.

The invention consists of the combination in an electric switch of the kind referred to of a member interposed between the switch and the cover plate and adapted to be secured to the switch for the purpose of receiving the fixing means for the cover plate, said interposed member preferably consisting of a bar adapted to be mounted on the bridge of the switch and having slots or apertures formed therein to receive the inner ends of fixing screws or bolts for securing the cover plate to the said bar.

In order that this invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into 3o practice reference may be had to the appended explanatory sheet of drawings, upon which Figure l is an elevational view of an electric switch mechanism according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Describing now a convenient embodiment of the invention in its application to a switch 40 of the kind wherein the'switch mechanism proper is disposed within a substantially, rectangular housing a adapted to be sunk within a recess formed in a wall or mounted thereon, the switch being of known construction and having a bridge piece 6 provided with an outwardly projecting portion 6 the outer periphery whereof is screw-threaded for the engagement therewith of a tapped dome cover normally employed for enclosing the switch mechanism. The housing a may be disposed within a recess in the wall so that upon the attachment of the cover plates the face of the cover plate will have a flush fitting with the 65 contiguous faces of the adjacent wall sections. This cover plate 0 is provided with slots or apertures adapted to accommodate fixing screws d or bolts, the lower sections of said fixing means being adapted to engage within recesses formed in a substantially rectangular bar 6 disposed within the housing of the switch. This bar is provided with a centrally located aperture, the peripheral edge whereof is screw threaded and adapted to engage with the screw-threaded outer peripheral part b of the bridge piece, the said bar thus being interposed between the switch and the inner face of the cover plate.

The cover plate 0 accommodates the dolly or tumbler f or other partially externally disposed member for actuating the switch in accordance with the usual practice.

The cover plate 0 is secured to the body of the switch in the following manner: The bar e is mounted on the tapped portion 12 of the birdge piece I) so as to occupy the required position relative to the housing. The cover plate 0 is then placed on the open face of the switch housing and the screws (1 or bolts passed through the apertures therein and caused to engage within the tapped apertures or slots in the bar e, whereupon by tightening up the said screws or bolts the cover plate is firmly held in position.

It will be appreciated that the means hereinbefore described for attaching the cover plate of the switch housing permits of a ready and eflicient attachment without necessitating the provision on or within the housing of any lugs, ears, or bosses, the fixing of the cover plate being obtained by means of the slotted bar on the bridge piece,

thereby enabling switches of the aforesaid kind to be produced and assembled at a relatively lower cost as compared with switches utilizing the fastenin means that have heretofore been employe What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In combination, an electric switch adapted to be located in a wall or the hke, a cover plate, a cover plate retaining member secured to said switch and interposed between said switch mechanism and said cover plate, and devices removably securing said cover lateto said retaining member. 2. In com ination, an outlet box, a switch mounted therein, a bridge on said switch, a support on said bridge,'a cover retaining member mounted on said support a cover plate, and detachable means securing said cover I. plate to said cover retaining vice.

3. In combination, an outlet box, a switch :mounted therein, a bridge on said switch, a

support on said bridge, .a cover retaining member mounted on said support, a cover plate, and detachable means securing said cover plate to said cover retaining device, said support comprising means for positioning said cover plate over said switch.

4. In combination, a snap switch, a bridge 10 on said switch comprising a screw-threaded my hand.

element, a cover plate, a retaining bar threaded on said element, corresponding openings in said cover plate and said retaining bar, and fastening screws in said corresponding openings for detachably securing said cover plate into said retaining bar.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set JOHN BRISTOW TUCKER. 

